FITNESS. FASHION. FOOD.
Grab That Medal!
by Barbara Sike
23rd April, 2018
News from the 2018 London Marathon
There are many ways to get a medal, most of which include winning some form of competition or completing a challenge. Just a week after the 2018 London Marathon, news hit the papers of a man who found another way to bag a shining neckpiece.
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A yet-to-be-identified man allegedly took advantage of a runner, Jake Halliday’s misfortune who lost his race number just about 15 minutes away from the finish line and therefore was removed from the race.
According to news reports, the man found Halliday’s race card and completed the remainder of the course to collect the medal and pose in the victory. Investigations are still underway to confirm the allegations.
The London Marathon is no stranger to headline-worthy events, good and bad. A memorable one from 2016: celebrity sister James Argent was rumoured to have cheated by missing 11 checkpoints, later claiming that she suffered from panic attacks under that confused her and resulted in running off-route.
Completing a marathon is not just about the results.
“I think it's an amazing event that brings people together and it's amazing celebration for sport in its finest way. Seeing people at the stands and behind the barriers cheering up and appreciating what it takes to run it, is simply great. The events like this always unify people and show how great human being can be” said Angelika Napierala, volunteer sports therapist on the Marathon.
Some pubs even offer free drinks for anyone bearing the finisher medal from the day, as a way to “a little thank you from some very proud Londoners”, as one of these bars, the Three Cheers Pub Co explained.
Probably the most important element of the London Marathon, however, is the incredible charity work carried out by runners and fundraisers. According to Virgin Money, naming sponsor of the events “the Marathon is the largest annual one-day fundraising event in the world.” Civil Society reported that this year alone over £40 million has been raised in total for all the charities involved.
“I think it’s amazing that so much money is raised for good cause on the Marathon. It can be very hard to get people to donate so this is a very good occasion for that” said one of the fundraisers, Alessandra Zanetti.
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Photos from the race from Virgin Money open gallery
Runners and supporters shared ther experience on Instagram
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Many celebrities also put on the running vest for the good cause every year. The 2018 Marathon has seen the likes of Chris Evans, radio host and 4th-time runner in the colours of Children in Need, marathon veteran and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay representing the Great Ormond Street Hospital and Chris Power, former professional football player supporting Prostate Cancer UK.
Despite the inevitable scandals around the event, the London Marathon continues to be one of the most positive, most social and most charitable on the sports event calendar.
Charity ballots for places for next year’s race are already open, with the promise of it being bigger and better than ever.
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Feeling inspired? No need to wait until next April, there are plenty of races coming up on the calendar very soon.
Table by Barbara Sike
UPDATE: The Week UK reported that the impostor’s identity has been revealed: Stanley Skupien, the Polish-born homeless man was the one who found the lost runner number. He told The Daily Telegraph that he “dumped a suitcase full of his possessions and jumped the barrier near Tower Bridge” as he explained that he indeed deserved the medal and it was a dream come true.